Towing on the continent

ChrisSue

ChrisSue

Joined
Oct 20, 2016
Posts
1,122
Likes collected
15,129
Location
Northampton
Funster No
45,688
MH
Autotrail Imala 625
Exp
Since 2016 and caravanning before that
I watched a clip on You Tube yesterday where an a frame supplier made the contention that it is (or was at the time the clip was posted) that it is legal to use an a frame abroad. His reasoning being that to tow legally the frame must comply to type approval regulations but as there were no regulations for the continent you couldn't be prosecuted.
Not entirely sure I'd like to try this with PC Pierre or PC Hans but interested in what you guys know.
I expect this has been covered many times so apologies
 
Car transporter, safe, secure and no hassle anywhere in Europe.
 
That is the way we are thinking but thinking of home storage
 
Buy a scooter, no hassle to transport and fantastica in the warmer climes 🛵😍👍
 
But one of us would need to take a test 😞

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
The test is great fun, you'll have a blast 😁. Take it on a 125 automatic that's all you need👍
 
There will be plenty of toad owners coming along to tell you that they have been using an A frame over the ditch for years and never been pulled, none the less it is illegal.

Scoot

C85BAE96-F1A1-4259-BAE6-94842892A6F5.jpeg


Or a trailer

922C2E68-F796-463B-A4E9-05D186B2DFA4.jpeg
 
ChrisSue said:
His reasoning being that to tow legally the frame must comply to type approval regulations but as there were no regulations for the continent you couldn't be prosecuted.
Click to expand...
Thick as shite. He should then also know that ,unlike the UK where if there is no law against doing it ,it is legal to do so. In europe if there is not a law ALLOWING you to do it then it is not legal.
 
gus-lopez said:
Thick as shite. He should then also know that ,unlike the UK where if there is no law against doing it ,it is legal to do so. In europe if there is not a law ALLOWING you to do it then it is not legal.
Click to expand...
That makes sense to me. It seemed an odd premise but I thought it worth asking on here

Thanks all
 
ChrisSue said:
That makes sense to me. It seemed an odd premise but I thought it worth asking on here

Thanks all
Click to expand...
In Germany “It cannot be a trailer if it has an engine” is the law I believe.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Try leaving your A framed toad on the road with no tax and no insurance and you will find out how much of a "Trailer" it is even here in the UK
 
I am beginning to wonder how many people have been pulled using an a frame?
 
We were stopped just north of Madrid by two police officers who told us in broken English that we could not tow a car. My late husband tried to explain that the car was braked but they were insistent we couldn’t tow it.
They both spent 10 minutes going through books that they had trying to find the relevant ruling but in the end they gave up and told us to go.
We were lucky we did meet others who had been stopped and made to unhitch and one drive the Motorhome and one the car.

We decided that it wasn’t worth the hassle and we actually sold the car and a frame to an English couple on the campsite we were on before we came back to the uk.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
davanne said:
We were stopped just north of Madrid by two police officers who told us in broken English that we could not tow a car. My late husband tried to explain that the car was braked but they were insistent we couldn’t tow it.
They both spent 10 minutes going through books that they had trying to find the relevant ruling but in the end they gave up and told us to go.
We were lucky we did meet others who had been stopped and made to unhitch and one drive the Motorhome and one the car.

We decided that it wasn’t worth the hassle and we actually sold the car and a frame to an English couple on the campsite we were on before we came back to the uk.
Click to expand...

May i ask how long ago this happened.
 
Anyone else been pulled using electronic a frame?
 
Why do you think an electronic braking system is exempt from the rules
 
Ah that old chest nut he is quite right except the EU dont recognise them as trailers and a vehicle towing a vehicle even with a rope is specifically prohibited
So it's not the a frame that's causing the trouble it's what you do with it
 
gus-lopez said:
Thick as shite. He should then also know that ,unlike the UK where if there is no law against doing it ,it is legal to do so. In europe if there is not a law ALLOWING you to do it then it is not legal.
Click to expand...
I’ve said it for years and I still stick with it. There isn’t a law banning the use of A frames in the uk but I’m not sure there is a law saying it’s legal either and when there is a death totally attributed to a car being towed on an A frame I think the “grey law” will end and they will be banned just as towing on a rope was a few years ago and a bar or dolly must be used.
 
For a similar cost to that of a good A frame you can get a, legal anywhere, trailer. OK it is more hassle and you have to store the trailer, but it's legal. I have not towed a car on a trailer, but I have towed a Harley on the back of a camper and a MOHO never had a problem and never been asked to pay more for the trailer on a pitch
 
The Ex-Gasman said:
For a similar cost to that of a good A frame you can get a, legal anywhere, trailer. OK it is more hassle and you have to store the trailer, but it's legal. I have not towed a car on a trailer, but I have towed a Harley on the back of a camper and a MOHO never had a problem and never been asked to pay more for the trailer on a pitch
Click to expand...
We store our trailer under the car at our caravan with his own cover :whistle2: :rofl::rofl:

3D7D3438-AED4-4F4D-B5C1-91A2BC14059D.jpeg

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I’ve been trailering our Fiat Panda for the last six years down to Spain and never had a problem storing trailer on pitches as long as you choose where you go.
When at home I store the trailer in the garage and leave the car on the drive so no problem with security.
When I researched the best option I discovered by the time you have the car adapted and purchase the A frame a trailer was hardly any difference in the overall cost and seeing that my missus cant drive I didn’t want to risk having to leave the car on the side of the road if stopped by police. No brainer😊👍
 
Speve said:
I’ve been trailering our Fiat Panda for the last six years down to Spain and never had a problem storing trailer on pitches as long as you choose where you go.
When at home I store the trailer in the garage and leave the car on the drive so no problem with security.
When I researched the best option I discovered by the time you have the car adapted and purchase the A frame a trailer was hardly any difference in the overall cost and seeing that my missus cant drive I didn’t want to risk having to leave the car on the side of the road if stopped by police. No brainer😊👍
Click to expand...
And when you update the car the trailer is still usable.
 
The Ex-Gasman said:
And when you update the car the trailer is still usable.
Click to expand...
Yes as will stick with a Fiat Panda 4 x 4 but at present the One we have is six years old and still going strong so don’t intend changing for a while no need as it suits our purpose as we use it when home.😊
C252A715-DA7B-429D-BD58-44A0897862F8.jpeg
 
The Ex-Gasman said:
And when you update the car the trailer is still usable.
Click to expand...
Would have a trailer but as we have no room at home on our drive for car, MH and trailer my only option is an a-frame, move house or buy a caravan, understand overseas is a "grey area" but feel to make the most of this beautiful country we live in and see small villages, Cornish beaches, National trust places etc we need the flexibilty of a tow car. We were in Cornwall last month & it was very difficult to park most places.
It would have been a bonus to go overseas with the toad but think that with the risk & cost on the boat/tunnel tolls etc its probably not worth it & tbh parking a MH in France is not a problem.
Thanks for all your inputs.
 
Fantastic guys. Now who is going to recommend a good trailer? I like the look of the Lider tipping one but the only UK outlet I can see is in Blackburn. Obviously where we are is close to Brian James Trailers in Daventry. Has anyone any experience with either of those please?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top